The latest study released by the Institute for Autism Research (IAR) shows more promise that a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder no longer guarantees a difficult life for children.

According to the findings, summerMAX, the IAR’s treatment program for children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD), can successfully be applied in a community-based setting.  After the summerMAX program, children showed an increase in social skills and a substantial decrease in the severity of autism spectrum symptoms.  SciencyDaily.com, a top science news site, included the IAR’s research on its website. Read the article here.

Submitted by: College Communications

The third meeting of the Serious Games Meetup Group is Friday, February 3 at 10:30 a.m. in Lyons Hall 122. Experience the immersive power of Virtual Reality (VR) in a one-hour play session.

VR is well known for thrill-inducing roller coaster rides and other entertaining experiences,  however, it can also be a powerful tool for immersive and interactive story telling experiences that serve educational purposes. In this VR play session we will experience educational applications of VR that include a brief history of flight, exploration of anatomy within a human body, a journey to the moon on board the Apollo 11 spacecraft, an autism simulator and others.

Submitted by: Mark Gallimore, PhD, instructional designer, COLI

On Wednesday, February 8, support Team Jamaica’s service immersion trip with your purchase at Chipotle! Present the flyer below at the Chipotle restaurant located at 1717 Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga and 50 percent of the proceeds will be donated to support the team’s trip.

While in Jamaica, the group will work with children and adults with special needs through Mustard Seed Communities, a non-profit organization dedicated to caring for the most vulnerable populations in society.

The service-immersion experiences through Campus Ministry travel to the most marginalized communities in the world. Each of the trips incorporate both direct, hands-on work with people in need and learning opportunities that help students grasp the social, economic, political, religious and cultural contexts in which they work.

Submitted by: Cecelia Gotham, assistant director, stewardship and events